Academy Spotlights Math and Science
Brainy high school students enjoy UT perks as they pursue a customized curriculum
T ennessee’s best and brightest science and math high school students will embark on a different kind of learning experience in the fall, thanks to UT.
The Tennessee Governor’s Academy for Mathematics and Science (TGA) will open this fall in Knoxville with its first class of 24 high school juniors. The academy’s mission is improving science and math education across the state.
TGA will feature a special academic program with access to UT’s resources and a unique living and learning community located on the campus of the Tennessee School for the Deaf.
“The opportunities available to these students through the University of Tennessee and partners like Oak Ridge National Laboratory will give them the chance to work with some of the world’s best scientists,” UT Chancellor Loren Crabtree says.
The students’ academic calendar will be based on a concept known as “modules”—four- to seven-week periods focusing on an essential question, which could range from fundamental physics to an examination of science in a larger context. Students will learn the basic science and math required to find the answer and then apply that learning to scientific work in the field or in the laboratory. They’ll also study relevant literature and history.
“The academic approach at TGA is what sets it apart from other learning opportunities,” says Vena Long, TGA’s founding executive director. “Our students will have the opportunity to take part in a truly integrated curriculum, learning from top teachers in environments they could simply not find anywhere else.”
Long, associate dean of UT’s College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, oversees TGA’s hiring, admissions, and curriculum. A principal is in charge of daily operations.
TGA students will live in residential cottage communities where they’ll work together to prepare meals and beautify their living environment. They’ll learn Chinese and practice martial arts, activities meant to expose them to different cultures and help them develop a sense of focus.
In addition, TGA students will have full access to UT cultural and athletic events. A full-time residential staff will work closely with TGA faculty to plan events and outings for students, building a lively living and learning experience.
The school will be open to juniors and seniors from Tennessee, though the founding class will consist solely of juniors. Students will have breaks every few weeks, and their calendar will roughly match that of UT students.
During summer breaks, TGA will become a learning lab for science and mathematics teachers across the state.
Partners in TGA include the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Department of Education, Tennessee School for the Deaf, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge Associated Universities.
There is no tuition to attend TGA. Students will receive room and board, as well as educational supplies and the use of a laptop computer.
An application, along with more information, is available at the TGA Web site at http://tga.tennessee.edu.
-Amy Blakeley